A Dark Beginning...

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Early Spring to.... ???

Cool winds blew through the wastelands surrounding a modest black tower, brushing past its walls as vigilant sentries stood watch over the lands. A mixture of inhabitants patrolled the towers and its surrounds, wearing the armored garb of shadow, bearing fine weapons and moving in formations which spoke volumes of who or what they were. Indeed they were a match for many, a small force of skilled and equipped soldiers whom had sworn loyalty to one dark lord, a terrible individual whom worked for a greater purpose, yet still guarded his servants like brothers, with honor. These… were Lord Avanthar’s own faithful guard… the Brotherhood.

Rusty weapons and scattered remains were the only remnants of the battle, as those of Dar Havark sought to defend themselves against a mob of angrily townsfolk. In truth they were more than a match, for a small host of more than a thousand resided deep within the earth where, that, and the fact that the awesome might of Lady Kyoko and Avanthar’s Twelve had yet been unleashed. Pitiful indeed for their lives had been thrown away in vain, foolish they were indeed, for they left what survivors they had unattended, only to be savaged once more by the Vysticchi.

In the end the divine intervention of Carmelya had sealed the town with a powerful enchantment, one that even Lord Avanthar himself sought to meddle with… for the moment. Yet nothing would last forever. Changes were being made this very night, the time for Dar Havark to act was at hand. For months they had gathered and readied themselves, not to invade, no, but for other purposes…

From the depths of Terra, hundreds of deviant rattas and molteri’s readied themselves as plans were made by Lady Kyoko. Walls would be built, moats would be dug, and towers would rise. Shelters too would eventually be built in the hope that others would join their fold. Under the cover of darkness tools and rocks were brought out from the depths of the earth, the creatures of Kyoko working diligently as squads of black armored soldiers guarded them from all dangers…

Lumber was brought to Dar Havark from Avanthar’s three lumber mills whilst grain made their way from Candaceburg to help fulfill the needs of the Brotherhood… slowly but surely… as if they were aware of an impending danger they moved with great haste... half in fear… and half in the hope of surprising their Lord once he returned from whatever task he had set off to. The desolate acres of Lord Avanthar's domain would one day be filled, bustling with life.

Those that ventured too close from Acumin would be deterred, whilst those whom sought to disrupt them... would be killed.

OOC: Permission from Lichen, but details still in thought/discussion.

[Aderyn te tuin Lothain]

Aderyn though wasn't the kind of person though who was deterred easily, and thus far tended to rather object to the prospect of death in his own case. Common sense would've told the Elf that inspecting this interesting little site would've been a bad idea, innate curiousity told him landing in the middle of the milling ants down below on Neorithyn's back would've been interesting. For the whole three seconds before someone mustered enough thought to shout 'Get him!' or some other such annoying dilema. The final matter though that weighed on the Elf's mind was a wondering, a mix of curiousity, sense, and the utter lacking of either quality in whether this had something to do with the Zerdagia dilema. Or some childish WarLord hoping to emulate such behaviour at any rate.

Either fullfilled the kind of criteria that was the Elfin Prince's purpose within the Imperium. An Agent of Imperial Intelligence within Arium, the gathering of information through to removing... unfortunate people... was all the Elf had to do. He'd changed his designation however towards protecting the Archprelatess' friend - which, really was a simple way of saying Aderyn's profession happened to be doting on Elle and keeping his wife safe from harm. In all, Aderyn couldn't think of anything he'd rather do... quitting his day job just wasn't something the Elf would've even considered. The pay was bad, but what it lacked made up in the authority that was Aderyn's own.

Which led to the current situation, one that Ady was positive he was going to regret... and blowing up what was left of Acumin and the outlying regions just to cover an escape was... probably... something people would object to. It was one thing to blow up a city of traitor apparents and another to freeze a city in rebellion to the Empire... and quite another entirely to kill the few citizens who remained within a pox cursed city all because it was Ady's whim. His life wasn't any more important than theirs, it was just that Aderyn was a little more attached to his. It all came down to perspective.

Garbed in Aderyn's atypical clothing, his boots were the blackened leather that reached just past his knee's with the silver buckles along the front - Imperial Guardsman. Brigga of black with silver embroided thorns running along the outside of the Elf's legs and a belt of black leather with a silver leaf chaped buckle circling his slender waist. Upon both hips was a sheathe, a longknife and a longsword respectively; the hilt and pommel of another knife sheathed within his right boot showing. A tunic of dark green with a silver rose embroided on the upper right hand side; both of Aderyn's hands gloved in black. Three rings worn, his Wedding Band, his House Ring and the Ring of the Elf King; each in respect to the importance the Elf held their values in.

A circlet of silver bound Aderyn's blue touched raven black hair behind him; a black leather tie holding it in a ponytail. Pale, lightly tanned skin from Elle and Ady's time in Ieffreon; the scars on both cheeks that much more pronounced because of that. One a pair of sword slashes and the other where a short spear had punctured his cheek. Jade green eyes, even here looked out at the world with a sense of wry amusement that found itself mirrored by a twisting of his lips. Naturally, Aderyn was within Clarity with a few words hanging on the tip of his tongue to summon the Elementals just in case. Never hurt being prepared.

Common sense in Aderyn was something of a shortage, tending to have Uncommon sense instead seeing as normal happened for other people than perturbing events required a different kind of logic. You couldn't deal with Elemental Lords, Dragons, Demons and Angels the same way you could say; your average Elf Lord or Lady, a Waitress or a Soldier in the Imperial Militia. Not if you didn't expect things to go horribly wrong, horribly quickly. And so, humming a soft if not utterly off key tune underneath Aderyn's breath he strolled forwards in a nonchalant manner.

Prudency though was why he'd cast a barrier of Hard Air about himself to provide a field to prevent the more conventional weapons like say, bows and crossbows from bringing about an unfortunate ending. Ady, as a rule, really objected to such weapons in anyone's hands other than Elle's.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

There was something odd indeed about those that gathered here, a sense of order that seemed apparent as workers and soldiers alike mobilized. Orders were given as workers regarded plans, direction men needed, and through all of it a somber band walked through the desolate lands as those that saw bowed in respect to the leading figure in black. Sleek and carrying herself with an air of nobility and power, eyes of sky blue regarded her faithful servants as Lady Kyoko watched her plans set themselves in motion.

To most she was an elf, yet one of exceptional beauty as her features seemed chiseled to the point of perfection. Pale, her soft skin seemed almost like ivory as streams of golden hair hung loosely, a crown of silver set upon her brow as she moved with grace. Wearing a low cut dress of black that accented her physical beauty, there was however a distinct note of despair exuding from her… a sensation of cold chill seeping into those about them. Following her were twelve hooded beings, their saurid features hidden beneath the shadows… the very few Dark Ones still in existence… all were gathered under their fold.

A vigilant squad were alerted at seeing the lone figure stroll towards them without fear, yet their reaction was not hostile, yet stern. The brutish orc, Erlok, the Captain of Dar Havark’s defense was the first to greet him as another dozen in horse dashed to confront the man, absent hands placed upon sheathed swords. They stopped several meters away from the man in an ordered line, one carrying the banner of a white dragon set in black, Aderyn could quickly see that these were no simple thugs and brigands.

It was Erlok whom spoke, the orc surprising many with his tone and speech to the point of almost being fair. Black eyes regarded the man in thought, yet no lone man from Acumin would confront those of Dar Havark like this. There was something about the elf that tugged at the back of his mind, yet the Captain did as he was so ordered.

‘Halt… and state your business… for within ten steps you enter the bounds of Dar Havark… those that seek to do us harm shall be dealt with accordingly… yet those of peaceful intent are welcomed…’

The scent of old death wafted in the air, lingering in the lands as Chaos itself had once laid a hand in the lands. Kyoko noticed the band whom had stopped the traveler and began to advance towards it in curiosity followed by her brethren, her mind easily slipping into Clara and at once could perceive the weave of air… yet she chose to do nothing… all would eventually be answered.

[Aderyn te tuin Lothain]

It might've been just a little bit impressive seeing the people mobilse and muster about himself as the Elf walked forwards, if only Aderyn wasn't used to something along these lines. Even with the simple spell wrapped about his body though and the ability to cause more than a few problems if e so much as said a few words... Aderyn actually found the number of people watching him much more perturbing than their intent. Better suited around small groups, two or three people worked best... but even then, ultimately Aderyn preferred solitude of a single person - and even that singular individual happened to be the most closest person to his heart.

"Moonwillow." was the first word whispered underneath his breath though as he took in the sight of the Elf; nothing but contempt for the youth's behaviour. The dress said it all, the apparent sorrow taken as naught more than her doing without the various intoxicants and foul smokes the Elves within that damned Keep seemed to use all too often. Serve the child right having to deal with such. The cloaked figures though brought back a faint memory, someone Ady'd known in two encounters had walked with similar guards within Arium. There Mr Sythe and the Elf in the dress had been on the way to claim the Airship or at least determine it's existance.

A shame, the thing had malfunctioned according to the Herald. The benefits of hindsight ~ Aderyn was, in all, rather positive he could've done without the possibility of the 'ground' beneath him exploding and collapsing through some arcanic mishap.

But the Orc was what captured the Elf's attention, far too many curses threatening to burst forth... and instantly taken back by the fact the creature could actually speak something as simple as Charismaen. Impressive, so the beasts here had a glimmering of intelligence somewhere within their skull. Thus far though nothing was noted or considered out of the ordinary; Moonwillow Elves were just pathetic wretches. Hooded and cloaked individuals? A silver a dozen found within every tavern in the Empire it seemed and generally lurking in badly lit corners. An Orc who could speak? Well... unusual, but then people could train crickets to fight.

Aderyn completely discounted the fact he'd once, against all the Elf's luck, served under Sergeant Hazbones within Alleria Prime before he'd left for Midpoint and the ranking of Major. Good riddance, everything since seemed to have turned out for the best. Ady himself had left for Candaceburg and the youth Sheng had ended up becomming Commander of the Garrison if not even further by now. Unfortunately the Elf had completely failed to obtain that issue of the Herald marking Sheng as a Lieutenant General in his proclaimation within Abestat.

Old habits died hard though as Ady slewed to a halt, his poise nonchalant for all the fact his left hand habitatually strayed near the longsword sheathe just below the crimson tying cords. "Typically degenerate you go, state your name and business or friend or foe. Complicated as that might be for an Abomination like yourself but something well worth considering." Ady mused softly, slipping into Charismaen readily; seeming a punishment really... it was one thing entirely to use the language in Elle's company and quite another to use the language in a filthy creature like this. "I wish none harm but those who seek such against myself Degenerate, so, I believe the matter of perspective lies within your juridiction... assuming you can think along such complex trains of thought?"

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

The words were not totally lost to Erlok, though he captured its tone more than anything. Anger surfaced in the brutish figure’s heart yet unusual self control took hold, remembering the teachings of his Lord and what not he stemmed it with good grace. Narrowing eyes somewhat as his men, a mixture of man, orc, ratta and goblin stood at the ready, simple words would not force the orc into a confrontation. Opening his mouth to speak, he was stopped short by the appearance of the Lady. At once those that gathered bowed their heads in respect, a gloved right fist placed upon their hearts.

‘Welcome… traveler… to Dar Havark. I hope my guards did not trouble you for they simply seek to see the building go undisturbed. Too much trouble have we seen from the foolish townsfolk of Acumin for more than once have they attacked us in blind hate…’

Her eyes fixated upon the elven prince, power revolving around her eyes yet an unusual sense of despair, an alien sense that seemed to exist within her. Perhaps senses within Aderyn would point out that she was no mere elf, yet then again perhaps not. She chose the form more for looks than truly seeking to be one with elven kind. Obviously she seemed rather unfazed at the power that emanated off the man, yet she spoke with strength, knowing that if a fight was to come, a victory against her would not come easy.

‘I can sense that you wield the power of the elements… perhaps you would help us in our building of a town… for a price that is…’

Kyoko spoke in a light tone, beautiful, yet carrying an edge to it that one might deem deadly. Yet it was the way she spoke and she’d change it for no man, save for her beloved whom now was far away on his travels. Showing little expression, the aid of an elementalist would certainly benefit them greatly… the time it would take for completion would certainly drop dramatically.

[Aderyn te tuin Lothain]

Vermin and Abominations the lot of them, either through mortality or race; Aderyn wasn't impressed even if that vestige of common sense that found itself so often absent was kicking the Elf's thoughts to hurry up and work out a resolution. Preferrably one that didn't involve an explosion that'd drawn unwanted attention down upon this location; Ady had much better things to do that have someone decide within the Imperium that as an agent Aderyn was expendable and better off being cut loose. Jaedaxia's weave might have helped the Imperial Guard but Arakmat's restoration bill probably hadn't been very cheap.

Without shifting his gaze away from the Orc before him though, Aderyn listened to the apparent Moonwillow Elf as far as Lothain was considering things. Probably a foot foot higher than him, Aderyn didn't want to know the mass difference other than a simple understanding that as fast as Ady was... any counterattack that hit him from the Orc physically was going to hurt. Pain as ever was something Aderyn could do well without, between the multiple times he'd been stabbed, impaled, burnt, hit with spells, bruised and generally thrown about like a ragdoll - it didn't get any easier as time went on. It just made things worse waking up, muscles knotted from old injuries and giving a certain paranoia that when Ady hit 800 he'd have arthiritus or some other disability from his time as a soldier.

The Elf's words though for a resortation of sort however was a conflicting ideal. The first and probably the most important realisation that if a city or keep was built then exterminating this Ratta and Orc hole was going to be that much more difficult. The second thought though, the one that was considered all the more important brought a slight smile to the Elf's mouth as he continued to study the Orc. What Aderyn built, he could always tear down again... it was the way of things and if the Imperium so ordered it then so be it. The minature moral crisis drawing to a close well before it'd gotten underway.

"Assuming you've my interest, which, generally speaking would be a correct assessment given I'm questioning..." Ady started, his soft voice sounding that much more amused as he answered himself really. "There's always a price to pay however, your offer would be how much in return for what... particular kind of services?" came Aderyn's simple question. There wasn't any point beating around the bush when the Elf didn't see the point in rambling, in elaboraye manipulation and the like. Subtlety could be for other people who had nothing better to do than play such childish games.

And yet again found himself questioning whether or not to bite back the words Aderyn was prepared to mouth; but could've done without the multiple people about him first. It wasn't that Aderyn couldn't handle this, but rather he'd found a moments entertainment while Elle was in Tirisfal with that Phedos cursed Esh'lahier she'd met at the Lady Al'lende's ball within New Coldmoon. It wasn't that Ady was adverse to his wife meeting new people and in all being something of a socialite... but really, weren't tolerating the Vysstichi of House D'rinishad enough? Now Esh'lahier too... all Ady needed next was Elle to come home with a pet Orc or a Dracon and there'd be a severe inclination to hide in the study until the creatures had left.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

It was indeed understandable how those save for the Lady and the twelve were ignorant of what the elf before them could accomplish. Certainly the necromancers could sense the power, perceive the weave and its intricacies, and know that they faced one whom could rock the very foundations of Dar Havark if he so choose to. No, in such times caution and patience was an important factor for their continued survival, that, and the fact that what they sought to build was based on tolerance to an extent.

Races long hated were hunted, abused, and more often as not killed. It was a fate that had fallen many to Kyoko’s brethren, not just that of Avanthar. To survive they needed to be strong, and not just in the ways of arms and magic, yet of spirit and heart. Eventually Dar Havark would become powerful… a haven for those oppressed… a place respected and feared… for some odd reason Kyoko concluded that the elf standing before her lit eyes could do it…

‘We seek to build a town… a fortress… one that may provide us with protection from the enemies all around… we seek to build a haven for all manners of races… yet I worry once our presence is known then many will come at us with hate… and misunderstandings… like those of Acumin…’

‘If, in anyway you may aid us with your service… then we are willing to pay whatever price… whether it be gold… or of other things… as to how you go about it… well… you may have free reign in the matter…’

Straight to the point, she narrowed her eyes ever so slightly as the dracon gauged the elf’s reactions, knowing that the most subtle action could mean many things. Both Avanthar and Kyoko carried much wealth between them, for even now deep under the earth many of her minions worked the minors, expanding tunnels and mining for gold as such, strengthening their resources by the day.

[Aderyn te tuin Lothain]

And so it was that there was something mutual here, destruction for instance wasn't quite what Aderyn had in mind as even an option with the singular exception as a means of escape. It was odd, but something the Elfin Prince could understand well enough in that his life really had been turned upside down by Elle and far from it being an unpleasantry. Spells designed for mass chaos though, to rend the earth and landscape with the elements however always had their risks... no, Aderyn was only ever going to be inclined towards their casting whenever it meant protecting Elle or as a means of defence. Anything else would've surely upset the balance that finally seemed to have been attained in his life with Elle.

Some things weren't worth placing in jeopardy, even that od duty or revenge.

What was asked, well, Aderyn knew it was a simple enough task for the asking. Performing was perhaps a little bit more difficult but working with the Elements it was possible enough so long as the Elf was allowed time. Gold and silvers wasn't exactly something either Aderyn needed... but, more wasn't going to hurt either. But there was plenty of things in Telath that were much more important, and that was the askance of a Boon for which to use... there was however something Ady couldn't however tolerate. It was one thing to stand before such filth as Ratta and an Orc, and quite another to accept and even create a sanctuary for the Abominations.

The prospect of making something for this Moonwillow Elf didn't really worry Aderyn; it really was killing two birds with one stone. If the people here caused too many problems for the Imperium, they only had to ask Ady to topple it afterwards and that'd be that. So long as Aderyn was compensated for his services, and most importantly didn't have the risk of coming home bloodied and wounded everything would be good. Phedos be damned if Ady'd come home an absolute wreck like those times Elle managed it... no, there'd been more than enough problems without Aderyn furthering things.

"A couple hundred thousand gold crowns should suffice for something designed as a fortress... along with two boons. The first being that you shall harbour no Vysstichi within the walls I create, and that no one who seeks to bring ruin within the Syl'rosyan Valley shall find sanctuary here. Failure, and the walls won't last Moonwillow... if you agree, then show me the site you've determined." Ady spoke softly, finally turning away from the Orc before him to glance at the Elf in disinterest, only then removing his hand away from the sheathe by his left side.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Kyoko considered what he spoke of, and certainly it would prove difficult, especially when they sought to build a town, if not a city that would contain all manners of folk. The Necromancer was sure that between herself and her husband, with the many loyal servants they had, they could maintain the peace. She was sure of it. Gold was obviously not the problem, and the original plan of them building a great host had remained unchanged. In truth Silrosia itself had never been their intended target, for they were not of the Vysticchi…

‘I shall find it… acceptable… but know that in our ranks are houseless Vysticchi bound to us… but I promise you that no significant force of them shall ever reside here… and if one day those here seek to plot against Silrosia and its inhabitants… they will be forced out by my own hands… harshly…’

Negotiations would be in place, but long ago did Kyoko have a peace with several houses of the Vysticchi. The fact that they had invaded Acumin and had not stopped them, that was another matter. Yet she was sure of her words and what things meant. If Vysticchi were to reside here they would not be in their place of power. All those that would one day make their way to Dar Havark would be subject to the rules of its Lords Avanthar and Kyoko…

‘My servants have already mapped out what shall be the bounds of our domain…’

Stakes could be seen around the desolate lands, in all it the area encompassed a total of 15 square miles…

[Aderyn te tuin Lothain]

Sighing softly, Aderyn hadn't said a small force or a large but Vysstichi in general. Well, if the Moonwillow Elf wanted to play with a negotiated price based on whatever Ady wanted and then saught to reneg on the offering then so be it. It just made things that much easier to justify for the Elven Prince should ever the Imperium take his own askance to level the place. It was one thing entirely to build a place of acceptance for creatures and barely sentient filth like Orcs and Ratta; and while another for Aeternian creatures that were corrupted and debased upon their very birth by Meephos, Haya and then cursed by Ioannes Himself.

Fifteen square miles... large enough to say the least. The very prospect almost making Aderyn blanch at something easily four times the size of the Elf and Elle's own Estate within the Tawnleaf. Almost, but just because Ady couldn't do such himself persay didn't mean that the tools were outside his own grasp.

"Clear the creatures away from the area mapped out then Moonwillow; assuming that is if you'd rather not send them to Jalat's realm?" Ady queried softly, a slight smile shifting across his pale features as the fingertips of his right hand casually brushed across the faded scars across his cheek. Drawing upon his Vis and the Ara about him, Aderyn wasn't exactly caring how many died because they couldn't think fast enough... but it did seem just a little bit fair to give the Moonwillow Elf a little advance warning. If only to be counted in seconds rather than minutes or candlemarks.

Channeling from the Essence of Earth into the dead center of the marked zone, Aderyn Altered the ground there to rise and create the borders of a Circle of Magic as he promtly Activated the weave to prevent escape. All the while he walked towards the center; taking his own good time... almost. Cheating was one of the Elf's habits; and underneath the ground rolled and writhed beneath him - speeding his transition towards the edge of the Circle of Magic to be there in mere seconds rather than a lengthy hike of some seven miles and more to reach the central point.

Only when everything seemed ready did Aderyn continue, delving into the Heart of the Plane of Earth to summon one of the Icrean Dao who resided within there. It wasn't like the Dao Aderyn was to summon either as within Syl'rosya, Titan still stuck the Elven noble as a little perturbing. No, the Icrean for all purposes had once been Mortal Mages before turning themselves and transmuting their own flesh to become linked irremovably to the Planes. Some seven feet in height; heavily muscles and bronzed flesh of a smith with a leather apron, breaches and high boots. Gloves adorning both hands and blocky sculpted features staring into nothingness. Summon Elemental Lord - Dao Icrean.

Just because Aderyn couldn't do something himself didn't mean the Genies of the Planes couldn't. Thaumaturgy had their Angels and Archons, Necromancy had their Demons and Fallen Archons... and so Aderyn got to deal with something he much preferred. The incarnate beings of the Elements they represented. Now, it was just a case of moving stone, shaping and then decorating... ah, a shame that there probably wasn't enough nurseries who'd be able to liven the place up afterwards with their flora. Wasted on Orcs and Ratta anyway, but there was always the mandate to do a job well or not at all.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Kyoko could see his reaction and gauged it. She had fully understood what he meant but had chosen to twist the negotiations somewhat to her favor. Still her word would be true and no one could fault it. With a wave of her hand, the great Orc Erlok motioned for the men to move, with unusual coordination they moved out of the bounds. Great primal powers would be unleashed, hopefully for the good of Dar Havark.

Others could sense the power… but all they could do was to wait… and watch…

OOC: sorry for shortness… mmmmm…

[Aderyn te tuin Lothain]

Idly as Aderyn went to work, he had to question whether a mere couple hundred thousand crowns was enough for what the Moonwillow Elf was asking of him. A question though that brought a slight smile to Aderyn's mouth as he drew upon the Vis and Ara within and without himself to form the kind of Arcalysis reactions that most Masters and Mistress's couldn't hope to manefest. But that was normal, Aderyn wasn't a Master and he wasn't an Archmage but something inbetween... something comprehensible and yet out of the ordinary. Something he put down to being the student of Dragons rather than an innate aspect of himself.

A couple hundred thousand gold crowns for someone who could make gold and silver at a whim, could create precious metals and jewels whenever he wanted was pittance. Especially when it was for the designing of a city. Millions would've been much more appropriate... but that wasn't the whole reason Aderyn had accepted this hiring.
It was a chance to make a city, to do so by himself and without interferance. Who else within the Empire in recent decades could claim such? A chance perhaps to balance truely the various means of destruction Ady'd brought about the Imperium at their will and his own. And if things went wrong, what Aderyn did he could always undo so there wasn't any dilema of a moral sort to be found. Always the consequentialist when it came to philosophy.

With the Dao Elemental behind him, rather than making use of the Icrean's ability for almost absolute control over the Elements the Elemental was drawing upon the Essence of Earth and letting it manefest in a tangiable form for Aderyn himself to Mana Re-Manipulate for his own purpose.

Working at the marker points set about the city, Elemental Awareness was cast next and the sphere expanded over and over again; tethering the weave with another Mana Re-shaping to his sword resting upon Aderyn's hip for the Essence of Air. It was this particular piece of knowledge and the Enchantments he bore that made Aderyn so dangerous really, the fact he could replicate spells of such powering that it'd take three, four or even more Masters to properly Dispell or shut down.

A single word spoken, and above a Dragon make from ice, water and pearl appeared apparently out of nowhere -= Neorithyn. An Elemental Lord of Water and Ice Mana shaped into a Dragons form though about the size of a Drake admittedly like the one Ady'd flown upon at the recent Vysstichi invasion of the Syl'rosyan Valley. And like the Dao Icrean, Neorithyn too was drawing upon water en mass to allow for Mana Re-shaping as for all purposes two Elemental Lords and a Master worked in tandem to prove once and for all just why Julos the Mad was able to grasp enough power to take control over the Empire.

The final touch was tethering Water and Earth from the Enchantments from Aderyn's sword to Mana Re-shape those as well... theoretically working now with the same strength of approximately five Masters and two Elemental Lords of their respective Essences. Enough Aderyn suspected, well, knew to allow for something. Toppling a city with a single Master was easy enough as Aderyn knew all too well; constructing one however was an entirely different matter that the Elfin Marquis wasn't undertaking likely to skimping in both power or detailing.

Using Earth firstly, Aderyn at a whim used the Essence to cause the very ground itself along the fifteen squared acres to split open and delve deeply. A ditch in the ground ten feet in length carved into the stone itself and another twenty down opened up to create a perfect square about the city the Moonwillow Elf wished built. And with that kind of power at Aderyn's beck and call, he couldn't help but smile slightly to himself as he drew upon Air to raise himself upwards from the ground to get a better perspective of the field. A plate of Iron being created udnerneath the Elf for an Elemental Disc to allow for a method of flight.

From there, Ady continued to use the Dao Icrean's arcana to construct walls ten feet in width and sixty feet in height for the surroundings. Rising fourty feet above ground level considering the foundations really were quite important... but at that point the Elf had to do the detail work. It was one thing to make granite walls without seams in the stonework using a Dao Icrean and another for Aderyn to do so himself. Two openings, North and South only were allowed for in the walls themselves, twenty deet wide gaps. Positioned at each cornerpost of the walls (and Ady deliberately fashioned the city as an Octagon) was a stairwell to allow for a guardhouse that was nothing more than a tower at each of the eight points that rose another ten feet in height with a brass bell and steel chain placed within.

Running all along the walls, piece by piece the black stained granite using the Essence of Smoke to colour the stone appropriately created merlins eight feet in height with gaps two across and four in height again for archery and crossbow positions. For siege equipment however, the Moonwillow Elf would have to construct her own engines.

Outside the wall; only once the stone walls were fashioned appropriately in their Octagon did Aderyn widen the ditch about the stone walls another fourty feet in length and ten deep; keeping the walls themselves pinned in place and dug in naturally. Using the Marid Icrean's power next; about the city Aderyn intended on creating a moat some ten feet deep and fourty across manefested itself... but no, Aderyn wasn't done there. Underneath the bottom; Aderyn cast Earth Spikes using Flint, just in case someone decided to go for a little swim. Aderyn was no gadgeteer however, and the prospect of traps more elaborate was outside his knowledge... thankfully for others.

A bridge at both ends of the walls, stone and while it was build into the ground itself of the same blacked granite and couldn't be raised or lowered it was defensable. Along side side of the two bridges was a wall ten feet in height with spikes raising from the tops; and at these openings the main guardhouses defended. At the Gates themselves, a ten feet high addition as a pair of four roomed Guardhouses each with a stairwell to the merlins on the roof along with archery slots opened up. The actual gates again the Moonwillow would have to design. As a final touch; Aderyn added depictions of Male and Female Elves garbed in robes of while marble set along the walls themselves; clasping to their chest a single rose as they looked out at the world like a ships figurehead.

And this was just the outside... still Aderyn had to make a start for the inside...

[Aderyn te tuin Lothain]

Waiting just a little while for everything to stabilise, it really was imperative that the place be designed for defense given teh races this Moonwillow wished to accomodate. The dreary factor in all of this was the matter that Aderyn would've much rather have built this city as a place designed for Humans and Elves rather than degenerates like Orcs and Ratta. In a scant few Era's, only the base foundations Aderyn suspected would really be his and everything else would end up merely corrupted... but that was the way of things. At least Ady could've claimed to have made a place of beauty, would know that ultimately it was possible and could always replicate such again in the future... but without all the grim necessity of fortrifications.

Just a place of beauty, something that could actually be appreciated.

There was a tower within Syl'rosya... Aderyn's own really some ten stories high that allowed for a perfect few of the Syl'rosyan Valley as it rose from the Tawnleaf. The ocean, the forests, the stockade... all there for the asking; even the desert in the far distance available. But that was a mere hundred feet in height, not at all impressive for a fort city and far from large enough to truely be considered a city in design.

Within the very heart of the mapped out location Aderyn drove the ground away yet again and here really was the testing point of what had to be done. The base itself was designed to be five square acres and dug another two acres straight down simply for the matter that Ady could've done without the place toppling over... it wasn't going to be Midpoint Fortess; but if Aderyn had a say in things it wasn't a place that was going to go down easily either. If the Moonwillow Elf manned things properly and kept towards the structural designs Aderyn intended the place should've been safe enough - at the end of the brightening; Aderyn would always be a soldier and a tactician. It was important to know where to stand after all in any conflict, weak points in the design while being commonplace could always be guarded against as well.

The actual base of the main bastion was to be literally a singular block of shadowed granite an acre solid about before the section aspect lay as one reinforced section of individual large blocks rather than a single piece of stone. There had to be some give as well rather than an entirely solid construction; a slight smile forming on the Elfin nobles mouth as he continued to float above the intended city. From there the outside was next... rising level by level, Aderyn was setting each story to be 4 metres in height with no distinction of rooms just yet with the base a ample ten metres in height as the entrance foyer of sorts. The walls themselves were thick; but again Aderyn couldn't help but think of the place designed for aesetics rather than merely functionality.
Levels... fourty seemed appropriate enough... rooms and windows, along with the stairwells could always be added as the final touch when the outside was managed.

The city itself was designed as an Octagon however, and at each of the four corner points and two and a half acres across in the middle the eight spites that surrounded the Bastion were to be next. Each designed as a Keep that'd turn the ground within the walls into a vertiable killing ground if war ever came and the walls were breached. Each spire was designed to be twenty stories tall and linked solidly to the Bastion by a stout shielded walkway that soon enough would be hollowed out once the interior was done. In all however, the foundations of what the city itself would look like without the detail work existing was there for all below to see. A Bastion some fourty stories high and eight Spires of twenty stories... in all, it really didn't seem quite like enough. And there came the telling point for Aderyn that something was missing really.

But the what itself eluded the Elf's grasp as he rather calmly sat down on the place of floating metal with his legs dangling over the side as he worked out this dilema. The ground inbetween... that was easy enough, pathways, gardens, ponds and in all a place Aderyn could quite enjoy. It'd all end up being destroyed in a place of attack to make for the killing ground naturally... but hopefully such wouldn't come. The next dilema rather came from the fact the Orcs and Ratta would ruin things... and there was also the problem of waste disposal in a city of this size and theoretical population it could already house. Tempting to have a sewers run directly into Acumin and flood the city more or less with less than pleasant material.
Probably not something others would appreciate though. Waste disposal could be the Moonwillow Elf's problem.

Windows were brought out at even spaced along the Spires and the Bastion itself, tending towards a pleasant arch rather than little squares or rectangles. Rooms themselves however wouldn't be sectioned off until Aderyn knew the purpose for each and every Floor the Moonwillow Elf had in mind. Only then could the Elf leave room for smithies, rooms for accomodation, living area's and the like... no point making a fireplace everywhere after all. Decoration and the Gardens would be the final points Aderyn would add... but for now; the disc lazily drifted back to where he'd met the Moonwillow Elf and the filth Orc... awaiting to see her opinion of the matter now along with anything else she so wished to speak.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

It was impressive indeed, Kyoko was left speechless as better than anyone she could sense the scope of the power this Elementalist was wielding, easily concluding that she'd be beaten in an instant. For him to utilise so many great Elemental Lords and wield such impressive magic, she deduced that he was more than a Master... most likely an Archmage.

'Impressive... if not amazing... I shall never doubt the skill and might of a true Elementalist... yes... your work indeed seems fitting for what we seek to achieve here...'

Waiting till he came back down, Kyoko sought to explain further what was already in existence...

'Deep beneath the keep are tunnels leading further down to where we truly reside in... a score of large caverns and a few dozen smaller ones... we have a large underground stream for both fresh water and wastes...'

Choosing to remain silent however that there were tunnels leading to Terra, her domain, and from there deeper tunnels to the Vysticchi city and other undreamt places of the earth, she said nothing more whilst awaiting his reply and any other probing questions.

Impressed... Kyoko was indeed... and certainly Avanthar needed to know of this elf lord. Perhaps one day they would prove to be acquentances on solid good terms?